It’s been occurring to me recently that you should be suspicious of happy people. Not in the grouchy “I’m angry about everything so you should be too” way, but in a “are you actually really happy or are you overcompensating” way.

So I know this one girl who is super sweet. She’s one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. She takes time to encourage everyone, and she always has something positive to say. But she struggles with anxiety and depression. Who’s encouraging her?

I know a girl who is always there when you need her. She will listen into the wee hours of the morning. She always knows the right thing to say, and she always knows how to help. But she struggles with anxiety and depression. Who’s taking care of her?

I know a girl who is really funny and makes all the best jokes, the kind you say with a straight face and then laugh silently until they realize how brilliant you are. She goes out of her way to cheer people up, and she’s so easy to talk to. But she struggles with anxiety and depression. Who’s making her laugh?

The first time I was exposed to this idea was actually in the TV show House. One of the characters, one of the funny ones, killed himself. Nobody expected it. No one “saw it coming.” Then the other day, I saw this tumblr post:

This is really important. Pay attention to your people, even the ones who are always smiling.